I-751/N-400: Moving Soon...Help!!!

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

I know this is sort of off-topic here on the I-751 forum, but I need help on the following anyways and maybe you can offer some insight about this here:

I'm moving in July or August, and as far as I know I legally need to file for the following:

AR-11 (Alien Change of Address), which goes via USPS to Kentucky

-Will also file an AR-11 online

-Will also telephone the USCIS mis-information line

I-865 (Sponsor Change of Address), which goes via USPS to Vermont

-Will also telephone the USCIS mis-information line

N-400 (Naturalization), which goes via USPS to a postal box in Texas

Do I send these forms all at once (which I printed out yesterday, but won't move until later)?

Am I sending these forms to the right locations? (sigh...what a waste of time and postage!....)

Am I totally covered by doing the updates by all 3 ways: mail, online, and telephone?

Do I send copies of all of these forms to all 3 locations (just in case some idiot loses these forms and can't 'make the connection' that they are all from the same case)?

Will I receive confirmation as to the fact that "they have made the address change/update"?

Do I use my "new address" on the N-400 forms when I file in August? Do I have to submit additional proof for such?

I will be moving to an address (in another town) which has the same local/district office that I am currently in. Do I need to inform/remind them of such, as I don't need to meet the "3 month/90 day in the same district requirement" for filing the N-400?

Do you honestly think that they will be "compentent" enough and not deliver anything to my old address?

Will forwarding my mail help in "redirecting" my USCIS mail? If not, is there a "return to sender" thing and I need to inquire further? What happens if I send these forms later than expected (which I won't do...but who knows what happens next...)?

Problem?: Old place= Hole in the ground later on (to be torn down), New place= Hole in the ground now (new construction)

Did you encounter any problems/issues, etc. when filing these forms and/or updating your "new address information"?

Anything else I should make a note of and/or be extra aware of?

Meanwhile, I still wait for my 10yr green card, and hopefully I'll get that before I move....(lol..or they can just deliver my card to the "hole in the ground" afterwards....)

I can't wait to "divorce the USCIS" asap! It's none of your business where I and my family move to...damn it!

Lol...between dealing with immigration/USCIS, a baby on the way, moving soon, and other personal matters...

Can I say that I'm "Extra Stressed!"....

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.

Ant (Still waiting for Card 9 months, Still waiting for Baby 9 months...)

Edited May 22, 2009 by AntandD

[antda 13]

P.S. I also have an additional co-sponsor in my case. However, they are not moving (only my sponsor/husband is moving with me). Do I also need to do anything extra to inform the USCIS of such?

[wannabe_texan 0]

I think your list looks good! Lucky that you are staying in the same DO with your move I don't think your co-sponsor needs to COA since they are not moving and I don't think you need to remind them that you are in the same DO still.

One small additional thing you could do, since you are still waiting for the actual GC, is to send a letter notifying CSC of your new address. I moved during that critical time on the I-751, my transfer notice went to old address, even after I had done the pendng case change and AR-11 online and on the phone. The second time I called after the transfer notice went to the old address, and the misinformation line told me to send a letter of address change direct to CSC also, which I did and they confirmed receipt of. After that the approval notice came from VSC and the GC from CSC to the right address. So I don't know which method was successful, but it doesn't hurt to cover all the bases.

Take care, try not to stress too much, try to enjoy some time with D before you become a threesome :D, and yes use your new address on N400, it will be fine.

[Immigrant2009 0]

Hi Everyone,

I know this is sort of off-topic here on the I-751 forum, but I need help on the following anyways and maybe you can offer some insight about this here:

I'm moving in July or August, and as far as I know I legally need to file for the following:

AR-11 (Alien Change of Address), which goes via USPS to Kentucky

-Will also file an AR-11 online

-Will also telephone the USCIS mis-information line

I-865 (Sponsor Change of Address), which goes via USPS to Vermont

-Will also telephone the USCIS mis-information line

N-400 (Naturalization), which goes via USPS to a postal box in Texas

Do I send these forms all at once (which I printed out yesterday, but won't move until later)?

Am I sending these forms to the right locations? (sigh...what a waste of time and postage!....)

Am I totally covered by doing the updates by all 3 ways: mail, online, and telephone?

Do I send copies of all of these forms to all 3 locations (just in case some idiot loses these forms and can't 'make the connection' that they are all from the same case)?

Will I receive confirmation as to the fact that "they have made the address change/update"?

Do I use my "new address" on the N-400 forms when I file in August? Do I have to submit additional proof for such?

I will be moving to an address (in another town) which has the same local/district office that I am currently in. Do I need to inform/remind them of such, as I don't need to meet the "3 month/90 day in the same district requirement" for filing the N-400?

Do you honestly think that they will be "compentent" enough and not deliver anything to my old address?

Will forwarding my mail help in "redirecting" my USCIS mail? If not, is there a "return to sender" thing and I need to inquire further? What happens if I send these forms later than expected (which I won't do...but who knows what happens next...)?

Problem?: Old place= Hole in the ground later on (to be torn down), New place= Hole in the ground now (new construction)

Did you encounter any problems/issues, etc. when filing these forms and/or updating your "new address information"?

Anything else I should make a note of and/or be extra aware of?

Meanwhile, I still wait for my 10yr green card, and hopefully I'll get that before I move....(lol..or they can just deliver my card to the "hole in the ground" afterwards....)

I can't wait to "divorce the USCIS" asap! It's none of your business where I and my family move to...damn it!

Lol...between dealing with immigration/USCIS, a baby on the way, moving soon, and other personal matters...

Can I say that I'm "Extra Stressed!"....

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.

Ant (Still waiting for Card 9 months, Still waiting for Baby 9 months...)

I think your list looks good! Lucky that you are staying in the same DO with your move I don't think your co-sponsor needs to COA since they are not moving and I don't think you need to remind them that you are in the same DO still.

One small additional thing you could do, since you are still waiting for the actual GC, is to send a letter notifying CSC of your new address. I moved during that critical time on the I-751, my transfer notice went to old address, even after I had done the pendng case change and AR-11 online and on the phone. The second time I called after the transfer notice went to the old address, and the misinformation line told me to send a letter of address change direct to CSC also, which I did and they confirmed receipt of. After that the approval notice came from VSC and the GC from CSC to the right address. So I don't know which method was successful, but it doesn't hurt to cover all the bases.

Take care, try not to stress too much, try to enjoy some time with D before you become a threesome :D, and yes use your new address on N400, it will be fine.

Hi AntandD,

I hope all is well with you. WoW the great AntandD asked the question .

I agree with mostly what wannabe_texan has said but i will answer your questions according to my knowledge and experience with USCIS.

Do I send these forms all at once (which I printed out yesterday, but won't move until later)?

Yes Based on my experience with USCIS they mostly change your address when you file a new application with them. If you done with them or your case is already processing and you do AR-11 chances are they might or might not update your case.

So do online AR-11, print the confirmation page. Fill out I-865 and send these with the N-400 application.

On Your N-400 Application, put your new address and you will be fine.

If you do it right or after you filed your N-400 they might or might not update your address based on my observation and experience with USCIS.

Also do a change of address a week before you move at USPS.

Am I sending these forms to the right locations? (sigh...what a waste of time and postage!....)

No, Send them alongwith your N-400 applicaiton and mention the COA (Change of Address) in the cover letter that you have attached the confirmation and I-865.

Am I totally covered by doing the updates by all 3 ways: mail, online, and telephone?

Yes, but you should only do one way i.e. along with your N-400 application. I don't think USCIS employee are competent they might give an impression that your new address was change but they might update the wrong one.

So do it only via mail alongwith N-400.

Do I send copies of all of these forms to all 3 locations (just in case some idiot loses these forms and can't 'make the connection' that they are all from the same case)?

No, Send it to one place only i.e alongwith N-400 Application. Because then they will update your address in the system which is more accurate then sending it around and wasting postage and worrying will they update my new address???

Will I receive confirmation as to the fact that "they have made the address change/update"?

If you send alongwith your N-400 application, I think they will send you 2 NOA, one for CoA and other for application. Mozplay a VJ send her COA alongwith I-751 and got NOA for COA and then NOA for I-751.

Do I use my "new address" on the N-400 forms when I file in August? Do I have to submit additional proof for such?

Yes. I think lease/property tax, bills might do to verify address validity, just like I-751.

I will be moving to an address (in another town) which has the same local/district office that I am currently in. Do I need to inform/remind them of such, as I don't need to meet the "3 month/90 day in the same district requirement" for filing the N-400?

No. No need for that.

Do you honestly think that they will be "compentent" enough and not deliver anything to my old address?

Yes, if you send COA with new application N-400 or any other, because it's a new case so they have update everything.

Will forwarding my mail help in "redirecting" my USCIS mail? If not, is there a "return to sender" thing and I need to inquire further? What happens if I send these forms later than expected (which I won't do...but who knows what happens next...)?

Yes, it will help you. Yes there is return to sender. If the current tenant or person is kind enough to send the mail back and postman delivery it back to USCIS, they will update your online status as mail undelivered etc.

If you do COA with new application and also do COA with USPS, you should fine.

Problem?: Old place= Hole in the ground later on (to be torn down), New place= Hole in the ground now (new construction)

Don't know how to address that?

Did you encounter any problems/issues, etc. when filing these forms and/or updating your "new address information"?

Nope, I didn't encounter any problems with COA and neither you should, it's important but not critical meaning delay in it can cause mail to go at wrong address but your status wont be jeopardized etc. like not filing or late filing I-751 after expiration of 2 yr GC.

Anything else I should make a note of and/or be extra aware of?

Any document you send to USCIS always make a copy (hardware copy) and if you can software copy. Have soft copies of important documents just in case you loose hard copies.

Scan - > Image - > PDF

I hope it helps you my friend. Hope you get your 10 yr GC soon.

Good Luck

Edited May 22, 2009 by Immigrant2009

[rebeccajo 14]

I don't think I would bother sending in an address change at all.

Just let the N-400 reflect your new address.

*edited to add that (if at all under my control) I wouldn't move till I had the 10 year card*

Edited May 23, 2009 by rebeccajo

[rebeccajo 14]

*damn it*

Edited May 23, 2009 by rebeccajo

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your quick and helpful replies. Here are my responses to your replies below:

Wannabetexan- I hope I covered all my bases here. And yes, luckily I am staying in the same DO when I do move. It came close though, as I was about to move to another area in another district, but my husband and I decided (for other reasons, not for the USCIS) that the area we want to move to is right for us, and co-incidentally that happens to be in the same “district office area” here in NYS than I am in now. So no need to worry about the 90 day residency requirement here, since they are both in the same district…

I guess I don’t need to bother with the co-sponsor either, since they are not moving anyways. If the USCIS wants to know more about where my co-sponsor is now (which is the same place anyways), they can bother them instead of me doing the job as they have their info on my file still about them.

As for your idea of sending in a letter to the CSC notifying my new address…I would love to do such right now, but unfortunately I don’t have the “complete address information” needed to do such. Lol…All that I have now about my “new construction place/address” is: A 2-acre piece of land, 3 holes in the ground (literally), Exact GPS Co-Ordinates, Mortgage and Purchase Agreements, Septic Permit, and a Land Survey…but I don’t think that is what the USCIS is looking for that information exactly... So I’ll just have to wait until I get a mailbox, a house, and actually live on that property before I notify them of such a move.

Thanks for telling me about your experience while moving while your I-751 was pending. Sorry to hear though that despite you filing your AR-11, that they still messed up your file. Nevertheless, I’m glad that in the end you still got your 10yr green card, after informing them again of such a change. And yes, it is good to “cover all the bases”, just in case….

I’ll use the new address on the N-400 too, as by then I’ll be living there and that will be my “current address”….

Aww…I’m trying not to stress here…but I admit, it can be difficult at times. Meanwhile, yes, D and I will enjoy our time together as a twosome before we become a threesome. I’m definitely looking forward to more some more travels (before it is to late in the pregnancy) as soon as I get my 10yr green card, hopefully soon (maybe in the next week or so) and then I can finally relax on vacation away from home…

Immigrant2009-Lol…we all ask and answer questions and help each other here on VJ…So I guess I hope you all don’t mind when it’s my turn to ask such. Wow, what detailed answers you give, and thanks for sharing your experience about this too.

What a great idea that you mentioned about “killing 3 birds in one stone” by doing the following: “So do online AR-11, print the confirmation page. Fill out I-865 and send these with the N-400 application.” In this way, I cover all my bases, save time, save money and postage (which I should be donating here VJ instead of wasting it on the USCIS), and not worry about not being able to file on time. Less stress and Less worries= Good.

Ok, so based on that, my new plan should be the following, right?:

AR-11 (Alien Change of Address)

-File an AR-11 online, and then print out the confirmation receipt (and yes, I know that it needs to be filed within 10 days of my move, as indicated by the USCIS)

-Send the confirmation receipt to Texas with my N-400 (Even though it says to send it to Kentucky? Will this cause additional problems?)

-Will also telephone the USCIS mis-information line

I-865 (Sponsor Change of Address)

-Send it to Texas with my N-400 (Even though it says to send it to Vermont? Will this cause additional problems?)

-Will also telephone the USCIS mis-information line

N-400 (Naturalization)

-Send it to the Texas postal box via USPS, along with the AR11 and I865

-Put my new address on it (as by then I’ll be living there and that will be my “current address”)

-Write a cover letter with the application, explaining of the move, and of the AR11 confirmation receipt and I865 form enclosed.

Other

-Will file a “change of address/mail forwarding” with the USPS as soon as I get a new mailbox and eventually move there

Lol…you’re probably right in saying that I should be doing it one way as they are incompetent in so many ways, and thus I need to “KISS” (Keep it Short and Simple) for them by just sending it only through with the N-400. Hopefully if I do it this way, they won’t mess my case up, while doing something simple like this.

Good to know too, that I and my husband will get NOAs for our address change, so at least I know they have done something right. By the way, how long does it take to get these NOAs for the address change, after I have informed them of such? If I don’t get one, do I have to inquire further about this? Glad too that this way worked out for Mozplay, and I hope this works for me too.

I’ll also send in “proof of joint residency documents” (bills, house documents, property tax papers, mortgage and purchase agreements, septic permit, land survey, etc.) with my new address too, as the N-400 calls for joint evidence like that, in the same way it did for the I-751. And yes it’s even better too that I can use that joint paperwork for two purposes (joint marriage/relationship and joint moving/residency) instead of just for one as indicated…yup…”kill another 2 birds in one stone” here too….

Ok, good to know that I don’t need to inform them of the fact that I’m moving in the same district. I’m sure they can look that information up themselves in their databases to figure out if I qualify for citizenship right away or not.

Makes sense that “It’s a new case so they update everything”, so hopefully they will update my new address too when they enter my N-400 information…

Yes, as mentioned before, I will “forward my mail” and the USPS can “return to sender” if they cannot reach me. Lol…Unfortunately, there will be no “current tenant” at my current home after I move, as it will be a “hole in the ground” (literally, as my current house and mailbox will be torn down after I move). So if they ever try to send anything to my old address afterwards, there is nobody else to pick it up and return to sender. Hmmm…maybe I should tell the USPS person about this, and they can help with forwarding/returning the mail instead (lol…either that, or they can send it to the hole in the ground, and hope that some stray cat, bird, deer, cow, or other animals in our area can pick it up and forward it to me).

I don’t exactly know how to address the issues of “holes in the ground” either, and how that will affect things…Anyone else want to answer this one for me? (or humour me with some joke about it)…

Glad that you didn’t encounter any problems when you updated your new address information to the USCIS before. That’s true that for the N-400 it doesn’t affect it as much as the I-751 in terms of delays and being out of status because of it. Nevertheless, the N-400 is still a critical part of this entire immigration process, and I don’t want anything to wrong there. (lol…especially more so that I’m paying and extra $670 for them to do their job right!)

Don’t worry, I’ve always made copies of everything that are “important documents”. This is especially more so with the USCIS, as “you never know what you are going to get” in terms of dealing with them in a professional and competent way. And yes, I have scanned in my documents, printed them out, saved some by disk, and made a ton of photocopies elsewhere. Lol..I guess I’m covered there when it comes to “better safe than sorry”?

Good luck on your I-751 and N-400 journey too. Thanks again for your help here.

Rebeccajo- I wish I could say “don’t bother sending in an address change at all”. But unfortunately the USCIS has rules about immigrants and sponsors changing their addresses, which we will have to follow and to report, or “face serious consequences immigration-wise”. And I don’t want to take that risk, really…

I’ll use the new address on the N-400 too, as by then I’ll be living there and that will be my “current address”….

And yes, I shall honour the “I wouldn’t move until I had the 10yr green card” rule, as I’ve waited so long (9 months+ already) in this I-751 process, and I don't want my 10yr green card to be lost along the way (which I hope to get in the next week or so). As well, I don’t want to jeopardize my immigration status even further because of my decision to move. Besides, the house and property where I want to isn’t completely ready as of yet anyways, so even if I wanted to move right now, I couldn’t (lol…unless I want to go camping and stay in a tent for awhile).

Lol….Again…. “Darn it!” (for lack of better words in substitute for frustration here). “It's none of the USCIS’ business where I and my family move to!”...

Thanks for your help here, everyone! It definitely gave me extra insight and more help, and less stress to get the answer to my questions here on VJ.

Anyone else have any more thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc. too?

Good luck too to everyone on the rest of your immigration journeys.

Ant (Still waiting for Card 9 months, Still waiting for Baby 9 months, Still waiting to move...)

[rebeccajo 14]

AntandD -

I understand we are supposed to report a change of address. You are moving at the same time you are filing a new case though. You ARE reporting your address change to them.

USCIS doesn't really 'do' anything with address information when the alien is between cases. (I'm sure the information is filed somewhere useful to THEM should they ever decide to track you down, but they don't put it to good clerical use.) Witness all the posts in this forum of persons who have moved between the time their conditional card was granted and filing for LOC who have had a document sent to their OLD address by the Service. This happened to us in fact - 14 months after we had moved and informed the Service of an address change.

Your I751 is resolved (supposedly - *pulling your leg*). You have intention to file your Natz immediately. IMO you wouldn't be breaking any laws by not reporting YOUR address change on a DIFFERENT document to the Service. It might be prudent for your sponsor to file their change of address - although personally I wouldn't even be sweating that one.

At the very least, I wouldn't be overly concerned about the details of sending them all this data other than making certain the Natz petition is spotless. The address change is very small potatoes compared to the rest.

PS - you won't get a NOA for your address change. Your sponsor will get one for theirs.

Edited May 24, 2009 by rebeccajo

[antda 13]

Rebeccajo- Thanks for your reply again. Yes, I do understand that we are supposed to report a change of adddress to the USCIS when we move. And hence, the USCIS keeps on "reminding" us (on all of its notices) to fill out the AR-11 in order to do such. I understand that I am reporting this change while I am filing a new (N-400) case, and will use this new address on my N-400 application. However, I don't think that by only just making the change on the N-400 will exempt me from the AR-11 requirements, so I will file one of those, just in case, as I don't want to get into further trouble here by not filing such. If the USCIS doesn't "do" anything with the address information between cases, then why the heck do they ask for it? Why bother filling out an AR-11 then if that is the case? Lol...Oh they should just save us all the time and paperwork and say that we should file a new address change "only when we file a new case". Makes more sense that way really. But alas, the USCIS is kind of like "big brother", wanting to "track us down" and know where we are at all times. Scary, indeed. Still, at least I can say I did my part by filing the AR-11 on time when I do such as soon as I move. And yes, I will ask my sponsor/husband to fill out the I-865 forms too. "Better safe than sorry", as I like to say here. Lol...as for my I-751 being "resloved", well that's not exactly true, as to me it isn't really resolved "until I receive the physical 10yr card", which I paid so much for and waited so long for. I do indeed have the intention of filing for naturaliation as soon as possible (lol..that is if I can get the 10yr green card in time so that I can go over to Canada to borrow $670 from family/friends in order pay for the to filing for naturalization). As for my naturalization application being "spotless", I'll try to "make it clean" as best as I can. But yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if it has spots of crossed-out pen marks, whiteout stains, baby spit-up, grass, mud, and whatever that creates "spots" on paperwork. Heck, even my extension letter/NOA for the I-751 is wrinkled and water-stained already, after so long of using it since I have no card (now you see why practically as to how paperwork is so flimsy, in comparison to a plastic card). The point is: the USCIS is not perfect (lol..far from it), and neither are we. But again, "be prepared for anything" with them anyways...

Ant (Still waiting for Card, Still waiting for Baby....)

P.S. Thanks for telling me too that the sponsor gets an extra NOA for the address change too. Lol...maybe my sponsor/husband can frame that up somewhere, for "doing his part" in helping me deal with the USCIS....As for me, as long as the NOA that I get for citizenship has my new address on it, that's good enough for me. After all, we do our paperwork for the USICS, so they should do their part by giving us their paperwork acknowledging such, right?

AntandD -

I understand we are supposed to report a change of address. You are moving at the same time you are filing a new case though. You ARE reporting your address change to them.

USCIS doesn't really 'do' anything with address information when the alien is between cases. (I'm sure the information is filed somewhere useful to THEM should they ever decide to track you down, but they don't put it to good clerical use.) Witness all the posts in this forum of persons who have moved between the time their conditional card was granted and filing for LOC who have had a document sent to their OLD address by the Service. This happened to us in fact - 14 months after we had moved and informed the Service of an address change.

Your I751 is resolved (supposedly - *pulling your leg*). You have intention to file your Natz immediately. IMO you wouldn't be breaking any laws by not reporting YOUR address change on a DIFFERENT document to the Service. It might be prudent for your sponsor to file their change of address - although personally I wouldn't even be sweating that one.

At the very least, I wouldn't be overly concerned about the details of sending them all this data other than making certain the Natz petition is spotless. The address change is very small potatoes compared to the rest.

PS - you won't get a NOA for your address change. Your sponsor will get one for theirs.